Six murders in 13 years: BEMS de-recognised long back; struggle on for practitioners

Electropathy is a derivative of homoeopathy that relies on remedies from non-poisonous plants. Its practitioners use extracts from plants which regulate both lymph and blood to treat patients. In 1980s, several colleges across the country offered courses in electropathy, main among them being bachelor in Electropathy Medicine and Surgery (BEMS).

In Maharashtra too, the BEMS course has been de-recognized, state’s director of Medical Education and Research Dr Praveen Shingare told The Indian Express. From 1986-1994, several colleges in Maharashtra, especially in Jalgaon, had trained students in BEMS. All of them had to be shut down.

According to Dr Suhas Parchure, former president of National Integrated Medical Association, electropathy practitioners held several agitations in protest and fought court battles. Even today, they say their rights are protected under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India.

“No law has banned its practice and we are entitled to engage in a profession as guaranteed by the Constitution,” Dr Satish Jagdale, president of the Maharashtra Electro Homoeopathy Association, said.

Across the state, there are some 30,000 electropathy practitioners. There are 200-odd such practitioners in Pune.

However, according to Ajit Singh, general secretary of Electro Homeopathy Research and Ailment Organization, concedes that electropathy is not recognised as a system of medicine because the union health ministry does not support its clinical practice by any person. A Bill on the issue is still under consideration of Parliament.

Dr Bahubali Shah, former president of Maharashtra Council of Homoepathy, said BEMS qualified holders can practice strictly as an electrohomeopathy practitioner and cannot prefix Dr before their names.